South County Brewing, owned by JR Heaps, is located in Fawn Grove, PA, less than a mile from the Maryland border. The brewery opened on July 1, 2011, and the tasting room is open to the public for tastings, drafts, and beer to go. Food can be purchased from Mill House Grill, located right next door.

JR’s brewing experience began as many new craft brewers do, with homebrewing. He was brewing all grain by his third batch and used a SABCO system by his fifth batch. He went to brewing school at the Siebel Institute in Chicago, and has brewed with many friends in the industry including Tröegs Brewing Company and Spring House Brewing Company.

Consistency and product quality are very important to JR. The brew system – made of German steel, built in Slovenia, and sold as Italian – is a 15-barrel steam semi-automated brewhouse that has allowed JR to brew more beer, brew more efficiently and sustainably, and also expand distribution.

Gelato is part of the Culinary Beer Series at South County Brewing. Gelato is concocted with 400 lbs of puree. Half the malt bill is a blend of wheat and oats with a dose of lactose sugar to smooth it all out.

We first tasted Gelato (and had our minds blown) while talking to JR during the recording of episode 116 at Little Big Beer Fest. Episode 116 is set to release tomorrow, June 2!